Newcastle home. What was the score? 1-1 A thoroughly improved and more passionate performance from the Addicks today. It was a very enjoyable game and although Newcastle always looked dangerous going forward, Given was the busier goalie. Kiely - who had no chance with Bellamy's goal - didn't actually make any saves of real note, although Murphy did clear of the line from Shearer.

It was more like the Danny Murphy we had been expecting and I felt a whole lot safer with Holland back in his role in front of the back four. Perry was my MoM tracking everyone and blocking everything. Stuart's endless running and encouragement was good too.

Questions remain of course, Rommedahl was not in the game enough and we need to work out when to release him when he is in space and the front two once again couldn't trap a bag of cement. We looked a whole lot livelier when young Franny came on in my opinion.

Taking nothing away from Misbie because he did very well for the goal but two Newcastle players touched the ball after he did on it's way into the net. I thought we were going to snatch it in the end but a point it was.

We had to put up with Alan Parry & Andy Townsend doing the commentary - plenty of references about weeds on the terraces, fortress Valley, we're "so hard to beat at home" apparently and Lisbie is "always likely to score". Townsend did talk about his Dad though, who played many years for us, but I'm sure he said that he made his debut in 1948 - is that right?

Reports from those who were there: Sky Sports; Sporting Life; BBC Sport.
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